It’s that time of year again when visitors start arriving in Cornwall in their masses. And while it’s a welcome sight for the many pubs, guest houses and other hospitality businesses who rely on tourism, those living in the Duchy can sometimes be less happy about the effect on the roads.
Of course it helps if you’re arriving in Cornwall within the law – or you may find the first person welcoming you to your destination is a police officer, as this selection of visitors found recently.
In the past 24 hours alone, two people have been stopped by police who oversee the safety of Cornwall’s roads.
One was pulled over by officers at 9.30pm on Friday (July 7) after they recorded the vehicle speeding at 107mph.
The result will be a return visit in a few months, although this time it won’t be for a holiday but a trip to court.
Devon and Cornwall Police’s dedicated No Excuse road safety teams, set up to tackle the ‘Fatal Five’, reported: “A holidaymaker was a little bit eager to get to their destination in Cornwall.
“Unfortunately for them, they will be making a second trip in a few months’ time to speak to our magistrates.”
The so-called 'Fatal Five' are: Inappropriate or excessive speed, not wearing a seat belt, driver distractions (including using mobile devices such as phones, sat navs and tablets), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and careless or inconsiderate driving.
Officers with the Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team were also kept busy yesterday when someone from out-of-county decided they would risk a drive in an untaxed van that had no MOT – and got caught out in Truro.
An officer from the police team said: “A visitor from out of the county risked running 'just a little job' in this untaxed van. No MOT and no secondary coupling device attached, posing a danger to roads users.”
And last month a driver had only been six hours in the force area when they found themselves running into trouble with police, who were first alerted by the car carrying out “dangerous” manoeuvres in Helston, with a child inside.
It then got worse for the driver when they tested positive for cannabis.
Another stop for the Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team, on June 24, a spokesperson said: “Six hours in our force area and already experienced the hospitality of custody.
“Dangerous overtakes will cause you to be stopped, especially with a child on board.
“Subsequently provided a positive Drug Wipe for cannabis. Happy holidays!”
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